Happy New Year … think I am crazy?

“If every day is an awakening, you will never grow old. You will just keep growing’. - Gail Sheehy


Not so. Many believe that there are two New Years of the year – those days when you set your new goals and intentions – January 1st, and Labor Day. We realize summer is behind us, the kids go back to school, the weather cools and it is time to get back into action. Summer is behind us – time to move on.


It is the time of the year that we put our summer intentions into high gear, when the “… I will do it after Labor Day …” becomes timely. The time of the year when we are energized and poised to make the end of the year truly memorable. The malaise of summer seems to put forward progress on hold. We savor every day – especially the days of sunshine!


I find that as we pass that big day on the calendar, I hear from more and more professionals who have been on the sidelines for the summer and are now ready to engage to change their situation and begin their move. And I often ask the question:


Are you just “working” – or achieving leadership in your career?

Makes them feel uncomfortable in many situations. This is a tough question to answer. The day-to-day of your job or your business consumes you and often doesn’t provide the time for you to pause and reflect on where you have been, and most important, where one are going in career. In today’s employment market, it is critical that you put yourself first and not just work – but actively manage your career. Think of yourself as the CEO of your own company – You, Inc. This is the reality of today. It is about managing your career, not simply working.

To better understand what career management is, the following description accurately describes what career management is and is not. The last line is so important:


"The ability to actively manage one’s work life, make choices and career decisions in a rapidly changing environment. It is accepting responsibility for the strategic and proactive management of your career and being career-resilient and in control your own career actions and satisfaction. Career management is not job hunting – job hunting results when one does not manage their career.

Over the past few years, I have seen a significant increase in the number of professionals & executives who are not looking for a job, but rather seeking help with outlining and managing a career plan. I have also met more people than ever before seeking to take control of their destiny and consider starting their on business or as I call it, firing themselves from their jobs and hiring themselves into their passion. Now – that is exciting!

Developing a career management plan is an essential tool as you navigate your way through opportunities and challenges. The key – it must be specific, measurable and hold you accountable. The plan outlines your goals and establishes planned and measured actions. For example, it could be as simple as:

* Work with specialist to update resume 1/1/00 and 7/1/00 and update career journal
* Determine, with a professional, if I am right to be in my own business and drive my own destiny by 10/31/11.
* Attend one networking event and establish three contacts monthly
* Meet with career specialists twice yearly to discuss plan, strategy and opportunities.
* Passively monitor job activity in my chosen profession

Some of my clients will not be pursuing a new job or business opportunity for 1 – 2 – 3 or more years, but they are planning now, creating a career journal (accomplishments, successes, what you learned and of course, what didn’t work) and using me as their guide and face to the market, so to speak. They are truly in control of their greatest personal economic resource – their business or their job.

Determine to take control and be in control of your career. It is truly a life change you will never forget. And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Dan Moran

President & Founder

Next-Act

Career Management & Transition Specialists

125 Wolf Road, Suite #128

Albany, NY 12205

Office: 518-261-4212

Cell: 518-641-8968

eFax: 586-279-4212

dmoran@next-act.com